"Ginger, Kathi Shelly and Therese, I am thinking of you and remembering the times shared with Ken. One of my favorite memories is of riding From Dubuque to Cresco as a young boy with Ken in his sports car in pouring rain! The car must have been part boat as we hit every puddle along the way! Hope Jean and I will have the chance to catch up with you in Iowa. Terry Walech"
In loving memory of
Kenneth J. Herold
January 22, 2008
KENNETH HEROLD LAS VEGAS, Nevada #45;- Kenneth J. Herold, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away on Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008 at the age of 80. He lived forty years longer than he thought he would, working the past decade as a structural engineer for Bechtel SAIC Company: He remained in Bechtel's employ to the day he died. A Celebration of Life Mass will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, February 2, 2008, at St. Mathias Church, 215 W Eighth Street, Muscatine, Iowa. The Reverend Jason Crossen of the Ss. Mary and Mathias Parish will officiate. Private burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Muscatine, Iowa. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, February 2, 2008, at the church in Gannon Hall. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Habitat for Humanity or Big Brothers Big Sisters. The Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home in Muscatine is helping the family with arrangements. Herold began his long and notable career in engineering at Stanley Consultants in Muscatine, IA in 1956, making a change to the Illinois Department of Transportation several years later and back again to Stanley's, where he remained for another twenty years. A lifetime member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Ken never passed a bridge or power plant that he didn't stop to admire. Tackling the Yucca Mountain Repository project in Nevada for Bechtel was Ken's final structural engineering achievement, and if he hadn't succumbed to a stroke, the politics surrounding the project surely would have killed him. Born and raised in Cresco, Iowa, Kenny proudly graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor's Degree in 1949 and a Master's Degree in 1955. He remained a loyal Notre Dame fan to the day he died, in spite of witnessing this past year one of the worst football seasons in the school's history. Herold is survived by his wife, Marilyn, Ginger; one sister, Vivian Walech; three daughters, Kathi (Scott) Eichelberger, Michele (Tim) Johnson, and Therese Herold; a step daughter and son; numerous nieces and nephews; and nine grandchildren, whom he adored but couldn't hear a single word they said, as he refused to buy a hearing aid. Recalcitrant at times, he never fit the definition of an old curmudgeon. To his final day, Dad possessed a brilliant intellect and hearty sense of humor, quickly laughing at a good joke, even if he was part of the punch line. Though he's gone from this world, he'll forever be in our hearts.
Tributes
"Ken & I grew up in Cresco Ia We were like Brothers Ken is God father for my second son Dave I have a lot of memories"
"We are very sorry to hear about Ken. Ken was a good friend while he was living in Muscatine. Ken and Bob did a lot of Arthur Murray dance lessons. We are unable to come to the funeral as we are in Arizona for the winter. Bob and Sharon Pugh"
"To Ginger and all of Ken's family: I am so sorry for your loss. Ken was a wonderfully nice man for the short time I knew him. It was such a shock to read about his passing. Please know that you will all be in my prayers. I'm sorry I will not be able to attend the service, but will be thinking about you all. I know there is nothing I can say that will ease your pain at this time, but please know that Ken is at peace and will be remembered fondly by all that knew him."
"I worked for many years with Ken at Stanleys. I am sure none of you know who I am. Ken was a real friend and mentor to me and will remain in my fondest thoughts for a lifetime. What a guy. You and your families are in my thoughts and prayers as you celebrate Ken's life and all he gave to all of us. Craig Hjelle"
"To Ken's Family, I have such fond memories of your Dad while he was single. He had a knack of dropping by my parents' home Sunday at noon just in time for dinner. He always helped with the dishes and knew where they went better than my own Dad! I remember him taking dance lessons at Arthur Murray Dance Studio. We always enjoyed his easy sense of humor. Everyone enjoyed being around him. May God help you in this difficult time. With deepest sympathy, Rose Mary Askam"